Home Inspection State Practice Exam 2026 - Free Home Inspection Practice Questions and Study Guide

The process that alters wood chemistry in a way that increases its likelihood of burning is known as pyrolysis. During pyrolysis, wood is subjected to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen, leading to the thermal decomposition of its organic material. This breaking down of wood results in the formation of gases, liquids, and solid residues such as charcoal.

Pyrolysis is significant because it modifies the wood's composition, changing it into more combustible materials. The heat causes the release of volatile compounds, which contribute to the ease with which the wood can ignite and sustain combustion.

Combustion refers to the chemical reaction that occurs when a material burns, typically involving oxygen and producing heat, light, carbon dioxide, and water. Carbonization, while related to pyrolysis, specifically refers to the conversion of organic matter into carbon or carbon-rich residues, but it doesn't fully encompass the critical aspects of the thermal decomposition process leading to increased flammability. Gasification is a process that transforms organic or fossil-based materials into carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide, typically requiring oxygen, and is not focused on the flammability of wood itself.

Thus, pyrolysis is the correct term that describes the chemical changes in wood due to heat that enhance its propensity to catch fire